Nicola James

Clinical practice

Monday - Saturday 10:00 - 17:00 

Special arrangement for out of hours.

Weekends by prior arrangement.

Background

I qualified as an Integrative Counsellor in 2012 and over the years I have been involved in the development of various courses of different levels, and in teaching everything from access courses to Level 5. This has involved holding trainee group and individual supervision sessions. I also developed and ran a free community counselling service for a local Social Enterprise and am in private practice as Cornwall Therapy.

I have many hours of individual and group supervision experience with non-qualified trainees and qualified counsellors within Devon and Cornwall.

Counselling and Psychotherapy

I work online, face to face, and by phone using various theories, approaches, creativity and skills according to my clients' needs. Approach include Person Centred, Gestalt, CBT, TA, Attachment, Family Systems Therapy, Body Process etc. and I am an outdoor therapist. I bring this breadth of experience and philosophy to my Clinical Supervisory relationships.

My Clinical Supervision focuses on a shared endeavour; a collaborative relationship fostering honesty, empathy, creativity and confidence. This will be your space to cultivate skills, knowledge and awareness, to develop and hone your professional identity and integrity, and to take advantage of the right guidance and support in reaching your true potential as an ethical Counsellor/Psychotherapist.

My work is underpinned by the BACP ethical framework (and the NCS) and I also have regular supervision. I am also fully insured and CRB checked.

It is important that you feel safe and comfortable with your choice of Clinical Supervisor, as it is with your Counsellor, so please feel free to call, or email to discuss your needs.

Rates:

£50 per 60 minutes

£70 per 90 minutes

Trainee: £45 per 60 minutes

Thank you.

Availability and Services

I am available for in-person sessions on Thursdays, 9am–6pm, at St Clare Medical Centre, Penzance, Cornwall.

Fridays are reserved for online sessions, providing flexibility and accessibility from the comfort of your own space.

Evening and weekend appointments are available on request, subject to availability.

Further counselling sessions can be delivered in a range of formats to suit your needs, including:

Online (video)

Telephone

Face-to-face

Home-based (for clients unable to travel)

Office-based

I also offer outdoor therapeutic sessions, including Wilderness Therapy and Ecotherapy, which may involve walking or sitting together in a natural setting. These sessions are weather and safety dependent and are arranged in locations suitable for therapeutic work.

In addition to private clients, I provide counselling for school, college, and adult education settings. I hold enhanced DBS clearance, relevant training, professional insurance, and adhere to ICO data protection standards and BACP ethical guidelines.

I also offer Critical Incident debrief (CISD/M) and Trauma-Informed services to statutory organisations and provide corporate health and wellbeing consultancy in supporting staff and teams with tailored mental health strategies.

 Are you feeling exhausted, anxious, tearful, or emotionally low? Constantly questioning yourself and others, wondering what's wrong? Overwhelmed by worries, even about the smallest issues? Isolated, pressured, and burdened by your thoughts, feelings, and emotions? Have you noticed changes in your behaviour or health?

Life can be overwhelming, traumatic, and challenging, leaving you feeling low, fearful, confused, and anxious. Daily tasks become difficult, relationships suffer, and a sense of loneliness and aimlessness creeps in - It's as if nothing makes sense while days pass by.

Taking that first step towards help and support can be daunting. Finding someone compassionate who accepts your vulnerability, values your uniqueness, and listens without judgment or criticism requires trust and patience.

Building trust is even more challenging when facing emotional conflicts. But with time and the right conditions, an honest therapeutic relationship can develop. A reliable, ethical therapist enables meaningful change. This safe space helps make sense of experiences, reshaping your future.

Drawing on my framework and experience, I will support you ethically and we will navigate life's obstacles. I will support guided explorations to restore balance and inner peace, and together, we will uncover new ways of self understanding to embrace the present. We will look to explore tools and strategies that can help you manage challenges, and empower to unlock your potential.

For over 20 years, I have supported individuals cultivate positive change. Empowering individuals by combining my passions, careers, and integrity, is my driving force. 

I'm honoured to work with diverse individuals in supporting and witnessing growth and transformation.

I also provide Trauma-informed support for individuals, schools, services & workplaces building resilience and emotional wellbeing through consultancy and tailored care.

Get in touch - Let your journey begin. 

Awareness = Choice = Change

I approach my work from a humanistic perspective, grounded in the belief that every individual has the capacity for self-acceptance, healing, and personal growth. My role is to create a compassionate, secure, and confidential environment where you feel safe to explore whatever may be troubling you.

I offer a private and welcoming space dedicated to helping you navigate, make sense of, and gently untangle the often complex and conflicting thoughts, emotions, and behaviours that life can bring. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, lost, stuck, or simply unsure of how you’re feeling, we will work together to explore these experiences at your pace and in your own way.

My aim is to build a trusting, empathetic, and validating therapeutic relationship, one that encourages insight, acceptance, and meaningful change. This process can lead to a deeper sense of self-awareness, integrity, and growth, becoming a powerful catalyst for transformation not only within yourself but also in your relationships and daily life.

In our initial session, we’ll have the opportunity to discuss what brings you to therapy and identify an approach that feels right for you. This may include creative exploration, guided imagery, transactional analysis, cognitive-behavioural techniques, or working with the different parts of self. At times, it may simply be about having space to be heard, supported by a person-centred presence. You are the expert in your own life, and I will adapt my approach to meet your unique needs.

There may be moments that feel challenging or uncomfortable, but within the safety of the therapeutic relationship, we can work towards finding comfort even in discomfort. With time and courage, this journey can be deeply empowering—encouraging self-understanding and personal discovery, and creating lasting change that extends to all areas of your life.

If this resonates with you, I invite you to get in touch. 

NB: I offer a sliding scale for my services, taking affordability into account.

Your first counselling session is a vital starting point, a warm, safe space that is entirely yours, where you can be yourself without fear of judgment, criticism, or feeling diminished. I am committed to creating an environment grounded in respect, empathy, and acceptance, where you feel heard and valued from the very beginning.

In this initial 50-minute session, we will gently explore what has brought you to counselling and what you hope to achieve. It’s an opportunity for you to share your story at your own pace and for us to build the foundation of a trusting therapeutic relationship.

I combine professional expertise with genuine human connection, working ethically and compassionately to support your journey. Together, we will discuss how I work, drawing on integrative approaches tailored to your unique needs, and cover important practical details such as confidentiality, session length, fees, cancellations, and data protection. This transparency helps you feel secure and informed as you decide whether to continue.

We may also begin to identify areas to focus on and use simple assessment tools, like the CORE-10, to better understand your current experience and help track your progress over time.

This session is a collaboration - your space to feel safe and understood, and my role to provide professional support with warmth and integrity. If you feel ready to take this step, please contact me by phone or email to arrange your first session or ask any questions. 

I’m here to walk alongside you on this transformative journey.